Autism and Migraines?

Thank you for sharing, Claire and I'm sorry to hear that you're also suffering with this. I'm using the MigraineBuddy app to keep a record of my 'attacks' so that I can have informed discussions with my GP. I'd recommend using it if you don't, it's free and allows you to add in triggers, duration, where the pain is, intensity, amongst other things. I can never remember how many 'attacks' I have so it's been really useful to keep an accurate record. 

I'm on month 3 of trialling a new preventative medication for migraines but I'm starting to wonder whether my Autism/ADHD would make it less effective. Once I've had my initial referral appointment with my GP I'm definitely going to discuss the potential link to see if there is a different stream of medication that I should be on. 

What I find especially interesting on reflection is that my migraines started triggering with intensity when the oral contraceptive pill that I had been on for over 10 years (from the age of 16-26) was suddenly discontinued. I was moved to a different, 'equitable' version, but ever since then I had a massive increase in migraines. I think that this sudden change, without my consultation (I literally had no warning, I just picked up my prescription one day and it had changed) caused a large bought of stress. I also think my body had adapted to the routine of that very specific medication and everything in it from my adolescent and wasn't handling moving to something else without preparation. I'm only now acclimatising to a different form of contraception but I still think that my migraines haven't felt the same since. 

Thanks for sharing! I'm sorry to hear that it can be so debilitating. I have prescription glasses and if I don't wear them for 30 minutes I get a migraine which means I have to have my eyes shut if I go to the hairdressers. 

I get sensory emotional overwhelm which then leads to auditory information becoming loud and more jumbled which is an indicator that I'm probably going to have a migraine come on. 

Sorry to hear you're suffering with this.

I get the same, it can be very debilitating and uncomfortable. GP may be able to help or over the counter meds can sometimes help as well.

Sadly like with IBS there is a link between autism and migraines, so we are more likely to suffer from them.

So mine are prescription glasses, and it's a coating on the glass. It gives them I slightly blueish tint from the outside but to me all the light is softened so everything is ever so slightly softer in colour. You can buy non-prescription ones too in nearly every style. Amazon do them and some opticians sell non-prescription ones. They help me so much so I'd say irs definitely worth looking into. 

Blue light filters?  What are they?  Where can I get them?  Do they reduce the effects?  Are they designed like sunglasses? 

My triggers for severe headaches and sometimes migraines are sensory ones. I forgot my glasses with the blue light filters on once and I was off ill for 2 days after that. Also after 2 hours of fire alarm testing at my workplace the stress (I presume) caused a migraine. 

Thank you for sharing! Sorry you suffer with the same - it really sucks! I have sumatripan which I take when I feel one coming on and it does work if I catch it early enough but makes my heard feel a bit weird afterwards. I'm hoping that once I'm on the diagnosis pathway properly (I finally have my initially appointment with a GP in late June) everything can be considered together.

Thank you for sharing! That sounds absolutely awful. I'm so glad that you are mostly rid of them now and ibuprofen seems to work. The botox shots sounds interesting. I haven't ever heard of that as I treatment before. 

I suffer with the same. Migraines are common in people with autism. Over the counter meds will help. 

I used to get them real bad starting around 6 y/o for the same reason: too much emotion.  Nothing would help them, not sumatriptan, nortriptyline, nor acetaminophen w/ caffeine.  I'd just have to muscle through until my body finally decided to throw up sometime around 1a-3a.  After that, they would go away within 15 mins.  On two occasions, I went to the ER.  They injected benadryl, and that would reduce the pain but make me very anxious.  I received a consult to neurology around 35 y/o, and they started giving botox shots around my brow and neck every 3 months.  That got rid of them.  After a few years of that, I stop getting the botox shots.  Now, ibuprofen works as long as I take it as soon as I feel the migraine coming in. I haven't had a full-on migraine since for the past 6 years.

Thanks for the information Leila!

It's good to hear that it's a topic of interest in the community. I've started meditating, walking to work, and getting on top of my diet in the last month so I'm hoping that these changes alongside my medication update will help. I'm really interested to see where the research with this area goes in the future.

The link between autism and migraines has been a topic of growing interest in the scientific community in recent years. Studies suggest that those with autism might be two to three times more likely to experience migraine headaches than individuals who do not have autism. The reason for this is still unknown, but some experts believe that it could be due to a difference in levels of the hormone melatonin.

Beyond this correlation, there are numerous other factors which may play a role in an individual's likelihood of developing migraines or chronic headaches such as monthly hormonal episodes. Excessive emotional responses—whether positive or negative—have long been known to trigger migraine episodes, so if you're feeling strong emotions of any kind it may cause your body additional stress and lead to an attack.

If your regular pattern consists of suffering from hormonal migraines every month combined with heightened emotional responses triggering more frequent bouts then it may be wise for you to focus on stress management techniques like yoga, mindfulness breathing exercises or massage therapy — all of which can help reduce adrenaline levels within the body and give your mind time away from stressful thoughts or activities which will hopefully ease up some tension on the physical level as well! Additionally, lifestyle changes such as proper hydration, adequate sleep (which is particularly important), nutrient-rich diets and balance exercise can all add up towards improving one’s ability to better manage their own health issues over time.

I'm glad to hear that you don't get them often now. I hadn't considered tablet decongestants either. That's something I'll be mindful of if I need to take any, thank you.

No, I stopped the Sertraline after ten days, the last five having daily migraines. Now, and before the Sertraline, I tend to get them a couple of times a year. I did find that tablet decongestants (phenylephrine especially) tend to trigger migraines for me.

Thanks for sharing, battybats!

It's really interesting to know that there is a link between autism, the menstrual cycle and migraines. I'm really starting to think there's a bigger picture here that my GP and I haven't considered before now - especially as I'm only just realising I have Autism, so it's something I need to explore. I wonder if different kinds of typical migraine medications are less effective for people who have autism. 

Thanks for sharing, Astrid! 

My migraines can be very painful too. I have two types of medication one to prevent them and the other to help alleviate symptoms if one does start. Stress is definitely a big factor for me too so is tiredness. 

I hadn't considered allergies before so I'll definitely think about that. I've recently started using a water tracker and reminder as I know I don't drink enough sometimes. 

Thanks for sharing, Martin! 

That's really interesting. I hadn't considered the role of serotonin before. It's something to look into. 

I hope you're not getting daily migraines anymore. 

I don't have migraines, but my mum had hormonal migraines pre-menopause and her side of the family is where my autistic traits come from.

Autistic people who have a menstrual cycle also tend have a much harder time with it than other people do- there might be a sensory component to it as well, especially since you do have other triggers.

I don't know of any specific research into direct links but I wouldn't be surprised if there was one.

Hi there, I get migraines they are very painful, it is related to maybe too much light and my visual stress condition, and stress. 

all I can suggest through is try to see if you are perhaps allergic to any foods or drinks caffeine for example, and make sure you drink enough water throughout the day that does help.  

I get migraines, preceded by visual aura. Mine are related to serotonin level fluctuation - I tried Sertraline, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and it gave me daily migraines. Serotonin has been linked to autism, see: www.spectrumnews.org/.../